A well site remote monitoring system comprises a monitoring station, a number of recording devices, a number of sensors, a processor, and a power source. The monitoring station supports the recording devices, processor, and power source thereon and is positioned at a strategic location at a well site so that the recording devices can create video, audio, or other recordings of points of interest of the well site. The processor controls the recording devices and uploads the recordings to a remote server computer for storage and so that an operator can manage and view the recordings on a remote monitoring computer.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A system for remotely monitoring a well site, the system comprising: a monitoring station; a video camera mounted on the monitoring station for creating a video recording of well site information; a processor for: instructing the video camera to create the video recording according to a predetermined recording routine; and transmitting signals representative of the video recording to a remote server computer for storage and for allowing a user to view the video recording on a remote monitoring computer, the processor being configured to instruct the video camera to collect the video recording in the following data collection modes: periodic recording, wherein the processor instructs the video camera to start a recording once per predetermined cycle time, focus on a first point of interest, focus on a second point of interest, and stop recording; incident recording, wherein the processor instructs the video camera to focus in the direction of an incident and stop recording if the incident has ceased; and live viewing, wherein the processor allows the user to remotely control the video camera via a computer application on the remote monitoring computer.
A remote well site monitoring system uses a monitoring station with a video camera to record well site activity. A processor instructs the camera to record in three modes: (1) Periodic recording: the camera records at set intervals, focusing on a first and second point of interest. (2) Incident recording: the camera focuses on and records an incident until it stops. (3) Live viewing: a remote user controls the camera via a computer application. The processor then sends the video recordings to a remote server for storage, allowing the user to view them on a remote monitoring computer.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to be positioned near a well component of the well site, the processor being further configured to instruct the video camera to create the video recording when the sensor senses a predetermined event.
The remote well site monitoring system from the previous description also includes a sensor positioned near a well component. The processor instructs the video camera to start recording when the sensor detects a predetermined event, capturing relevant information related to that event. This allows for event-triggered recording in addition to periodic and user-controlled recording.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is a motion sensor, infrared sensor, or heat sensor.
In the remote well site monitoring system with sensor-triggered recording, the sensor is specifically a motion sensor, an infrared sensor, or a heat sensor. This means recording can be triggered by detected movement, changes in temperature, or infrared signatures near the well component. The data from any of these sensors prompts the video camera to record.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to initiate the incident recording mode when the sensor detects the incident.
In the remote well site monitoring system that uses sensors to trigger recording, the processor automatically initiates the incident recording mode when the sensor detects an event. This means the camera will immediately focus on the location of the sensor reading and begin recording the incident. The processor stops recording when the incident ceases.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a kill box configured to shut down a well component of the well site when a critical condition has been met.
The remote well site monitoring system described previously includes a "kill box" that can shut down a well component if a critical condition is detected. This adds an automatic safety mechanism to the system, allowing it to respond to dangerous events beyond just recording video.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a solar panel for providing power to the processor and the recording devices.
The remote well site monitoring system is powered by a solar panel, which provides electricity to the processor and the recording devices (e.g. video camera). This allows the system to operate independently and in locations where grid power isn't available.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring system is a stand-alone frame.
The monitoring station component of the remote well site monitoring system is a stand-alone frame. This means the system is self-contained and easily deployable to different well site locations. It isn't dependent on existing structures for support.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the stand-alone frame comprises three legs.
The stand-alone frame that forms the monitoring station is constructed with three legs. This tripod design provides a stable base for the video camera and other equipment.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the stand-alone frame further comprises three middle cross members connected between the legs, three top cross members connected between tops of the legs, and a vertical top member extending upwards from the top cross members.
The three-legged stand-alone frame also includes three middle cross members connected between the legs for increased stability, three top cross members connected between the tops of the legs, and a vertical top member extending upwards from the top cross members. This adds significant structural support and provides a mounting point for the camera.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the video camera is mounted to a top of the vertical cross member so as to have an optimal vantage point.
The video camera is mounted on top of the vertical cross member of the stand-alone frame. This elevated position provides the camera with a better, unobstructed view of the well site. The height of the vertical member is selected to provide an "optimal vantage point".
11. A method for remotely monitoring a well site, the method comprising the steps of: operating a recording device in a periodic recording mode in which a processor instructs the recording device to start a first recording, focus on a first point of interest, and stop the first recording; operating the recording device in an incident recording mode in which the processor instructs the recording device to focus in a direction of an incident, start a second recording, and stop the second recording if the incident has ceased; operating the recording device in a live viewing mode in which the processor receives remote control instructions from a user and instructs the recording device to start a third recording according to the remote control instructions; and instructing the processor to upload at least one of the first recording, second recording, and third recording to the remote server computer for providing access to at least one of the first recording, second recording, and third recording via a computer application on a remote monitoring computer.
A method for remotely monitoring a well site involves operating a recording device in three modes. In periodic recording mode, the device starts recording, focuses on a point of interest, then stops. In incident recording mode, the device focuses on an incident, records it, and stops when the incident ceases. In live viewing mode, a user remotely controls the recording device to record. At least one recording from each mode is uploaded to a remote server for access via a computer application.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising instructing the processor to index one of the first recording, second recording, and third recording with metadata identifying a time of recording and a point of interest being recorded.
The remote well site monitoring method also includes indexing the recordings (periodic, incident, live viewing) with metadata. This metadata identifies the time of recording and the point of interest being recorded, allowing for easy searching and organization of the video data.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising instructing the processor to provide access to additional recordings and order and present the first recording, second recording, third recording, and additional recordings according to the metadata.
The remote well site monitoring method not only indexes recordings but also provides access to additional recordings and presents all recordings (periodic, incident, live view, and additional recordings) according to the metadata. This allows users to quickly find relevant recordings based on time or area of interest.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising instructing the processor to instruct the recording device to focus on a second point of interest in the periodic recording mode.
In the periodic recording mode of the remote well site monitoring method, the recording device focuses on both a first point of interest and a second point of interest during each recording cycle. This allows the system to monitor multiple areas of the well site during routine recording.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising instructing the processor to instruct the recording device to start the first recording once per a pre-determined cycle time.
In the periodic recording mode of the remote well site monitoring method, the recording device starts recording once per a pre-determined cycle time. This cycle time defines how often the system captures routine video data.
16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising instructing the processor to instruct the recording device to start the second recording upon detection of the incident.
In the incident recording mode of the remote well site monitoring method, the recording device starts recording upon detection of the incident. This allows the system to automatically capture video evidence of unexpected events.
17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising instructing the processor to instruct the recording device to start the third recording upon receiving a manual input from the remote monitoring computer.
In the live viewing mode of the remote well site monitoring method, the recording device starts recording upon receiving a manual input from the remote monitoring computer. This allows a user to manually trigger recording when they observe something of interest.
18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising instructing the processor to upload the recordings to the remote server computer in portions such that bandwidth usage is minimized.
In the remote well site monitoring method, the recordings are uploaded to the remote server in portions to minimize bandwidth usage. This is especially useful in areas with limited internet connectivity.
19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising instructing the processor to shut down a well component when a critical event occurs.
The remote well site monitoring method includes shutting down a well component when a critical event occurs. This allows the system to automatically respond to dangerous situations and prevent further damage or accidents.
20. A method for remotely monitoring a well site, the method comprising the steps of: operating a recording device in a periodic recording mode in which a processor instructs the recording device to start a first recording once per a pre-determined cycle time, focus on a first point of interest, focus on a second point of interest, and stop the first recording; operating the recording device in an incident recording mode in which the processor instructs the recording device to focus in a direction of an incident, start a second recording, and stop the second recording if the incident has ceased; operating the recording device in a live viewing mode in which the processor receives remote control instructions from a user and instructs the recording device to start a third recording according to the remote control instructions; instructing the processor to index at least one of the first recording, second recording, and third recording with metadata identifying a time of recording and a point of interest being recorded; instructing the processor to upload at least one of the first recording, second recording, and third recording to a remote server computer in portions such that bandwidth usage is minimized for providing access to at least one of the first recording, second recording, and third recording via a computer application on a remote monitoring computer; and instructing the processor to automatically shut down a well component of the well site when a critical event occurs.
A remote well site monitoring method involves three recording modes: periodic (recording at set intervals, focusing on two points of interest), incident (recording when an incident is detected), and live viewing (user-controlled recording). The recordings are indexed with metadata (time, point of interest) and uploaded to a remote server in small portions to minimize bandwidth use. The system also automatically shuts down a well component when a critical event occurs.
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October 28, 2016
August 29, 2017
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